The Strategist Haul: What the Editors Bought in April

I’d had my eye on this linen skirt since last year, but the reviews on sizing were mixed, and I wasn’t about to take a risk on something I couldn’t return. Luckily, I found an older colorway at a deep discount on Poshmark, and my only regret is that I didn’t buy it sooner. It can be worn either high, mid, or low rise depending on how you tighten the drawstring, and I’ve found the length to be just right for sneakers or sandals. (For reference, I’m five-foot-two, wear a size 25 in jeans, and bought a size 4.) Madewell reintroduced the style in red this spring — now an extra 30 percent off with code REFRESH — so if the color speaks to you, you don’t have to wait to buy it secondhand like I did.

This mug, designed by artist Peter Shire, is made by hand using a splatter-paint pattern, so no two are exactly alike (though you do get to choose from a pointed or round handle). I’d wanted one for quite a while, but they were always a little hard to find. Luckily, Canyon Coffee now has them in stock, and you can throw in a bag of its coffee to brew with your new mug when it all arrives together.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s leather pants got me through the winter, so I decided to trust its Curve Love line once more and pick up a pair of its high-rise dad shorts to kick-start my summer wardrobe. Denim shorts have always been a very difficult purchase for me — I’ve got thick thighs and my hips are much wider than my waist — but I opted to size down, and they’re perfect. (They also have a long enough inseam to prevent dreaded summer chafing.)

My friend, the writer and editor Aliza Abarbanel, spent the last many months working with Tanya Bush on a zine they describe as “a hedonistic exploration of history, pop culture, literature, and art through dessert.” If “zine” makes you think of something disposable, think again — this substantial compilation of essays, poems, illustrations, photographs, and recipes forced me to think about cake in a way I hadn’t ever before. It’s very beautiful, very fun, and I’m stoked to have it on my bookshelf. The first printing sold out already, but the second round will ship in mid-late May.

I moved into my apartment in late December and have spent the last four months staring at the backyard, waiting for the weather to warm up so that I can spend every possible moment of the day outside. Finally, we’re getting there, and I bought a grill to mark the occasion. I went with the classic charcoal Weber (along with a chimney, charcoal holders, and a cover) and used it for the first time last weekend. It went well! There’s still room for honing my skills, but I have a summer full of hot dogs and burgers to do that.

I recently wrapped up a course of Accutane, which means that I can finally develop a skin-care routine that’s focused on something besides calming my zits. And highest on my list of concerns is uneven texture. So during Sephora’s Spring Sale, I picked up Sunday Riley’s cult-y Good Genes (with a paltry 10 percent discount, because I’m only a regular old Insider, but it was still enough to convince me that it’s a good idea). I’ve been using it nightly for about three weeks, and, to be honest, I haven’t seen any amazing results. But as with Accutane, I think this is a situation where patience — and keeping to a routine — is a virtue.

These are my brother’s favorite warm-weather pants. He wore them to Easter brunch, and was lamenting that he hadn’t packed them for his trip to Rome earlier this month. He already has this seersucker-looking pair, but I got him another in white for summer. We love that they’re lightweight without looking sloppy, and how the rumpled-chic look makes the wearer look perpetually on vacation (especially when paired with a matching linen shirt).

I woke up on Saturday to my monstera plant completely betraying me. The day before it was proud and standing tall, but it had completely flopped into a horizontal mess. I already had plans to repot her, but I purchased this fake moss stick to see if it’ll help any, too. (Instead of moss, it’s made out of “natural and biodegradable coconut husk.”) While I’m no plant expert, I’m hoping it helps my plant stand straight and promotes more mature leaf growth just like moss sticks are supposed to. It’s also way cheaper than the moss versions I could find, so I had to take a chance.

After writing about jeans for a recent story and hearing about the wonders of vintage Made in the USA Levi’s from various stylish experts, I went on an eBay hunt. After coming up empty-handed, I decided to leave the hunting to vintage experts like Wooden Sleepers’ Brian Davis, who happened to have my size in a beautiful, naturally faded wash and still has plenty more in stock.

I’ve been trying to eliminate unmatched glasses from my cabinets, either by pairing them up or donating them. I got a Neal Drobnis Face Vessel as a birthday gift two years ago and love it, so when I saw a restock at Coming Soon, I decided to buy another. These are a great glass for that mead of Valhalla, night water: The glass is very thick and thus stays cool, and the blobby shape makes them easy to grasp, like a sippy cup. They’re also great for people who trail half-empty water glasses behind them from room to room — they look more intentional left hanging out on a table or a bookshelf than a standard drinking glass, more evidence of the theory that you can eliminate clutter by just making your clutter cute.

Industrial-supply stores are great for deals, whether that’s cheap mixing bowls and sheet trays or the sadly discontinued painter’s pants I shared with my men’s-style group chat. Recently, while searching for a good 12-ounce cotton jacket for short kings (if you have tips, DM me!), I stumbled across Magid’s website and ended up buying a ton of useful things, including a box of 50 surgical masks for $5.80 and this great denim apron. It has zero bells and whistles, but is thick, sturdy, easily adjustable, and machine washable.

As far as workwear brands go, Dave’s isn’t the flashiest (though it did do an 032c collab in 2018). But IYKYK — and it’s mostly cool people like Georgia Tal and random bartenders who give you an approving nod if you’re accidentally twinning with them who know. I’ve been wearing Señor Dave’s T-shirts (and giving them as gifts) for ages now, but I’d never thought about acquiring one of his half-zips until I recently saw a pic of Stella von Senger in an enormous ’fit consisting of a similar navy-blue sweatshirt over a striped polo. The shop’s hours are notoriously truncated, but because I was in the neighborhood last week to have a few layers of skin lasered off my face at Ever/Body, I swung by and picked one up. The stitching and weight are solid in a way that makes me feel guilty I don’t actually do manual labor (as with all of Monsieur Davide’s goods), and I think it’s a really funny preppyish contrast against my neon-green lamé disco pants — and my equally neon-green hair.

I’ve been slowly (and accidentally) amassing a fruit-themed vase collection, which includes one modeled after an orange-juice carton and another that’s strawberry-shaped. This citrus version is my latest addition, and makes me ridiculously happy. Since flowers wilt on me quickly despite my best efforts, I filled it with two wooden tulip stems. All together, it’s had quite a nice effect on my desk, if I do say so myself.

This moisturizer has become such an essential part of my skin-care routine that I forget I’ve only had it for a few weeks. It was somewhat of a Sephora sale impulse buy — I’d heard good things about Eadem’s dark-spot serum and wondered what this new cream would be like. It’s heavenly. Since I have oily skin, moisturizers with a thicker texture are a no-go. But this one only looks rich, melting right into my face. My skin has never felt softer, and it comes with a gold spoon to heighten the experience.

Is checkerboard print passé yet? I hope not, because I just bought these Stussy trousers and they’re all I want to wear. The wobbly check pattern is certainly on-trend, but I feel the timeless corduroy fabric will keep them from ever looking dated. Now, I’m one step closer to achieving my ideal form: emotionally constipated skater boy who listens to Yung Lean, sucks down Juul pods, and doesn’t text you back.